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Jana

Jana Maples Myrick Aust went Home … to Jesus, her Mama, and other loved ones in Heaven … early Tuesday morning.  She was one of the most beautiful people in this world.  And she shone brightly throughout her incredible lifetime here which ended way too soon.  Much before any of us would have expected.

Let me say at this point in the story … CANCER SUCKS!  It is a monster. It is evil. It is wicked. And, it is no match for the Savior. Jesus died on a cruel cross, was buried, then resurrected as KING … over cancer. HE wins. Therefore, WE win.  Hallelujah!  O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!!

My beautiful Sheryl and Jana were childhood friends who grew up to fall in love with two brothers from this sleepy little town of Pascagoula.  Danny and I dated Jana and Sheryl through high school and college years, and then married our sweethearts, to then venture into our own respective journeys and careers.

Danny and Jana loved and lived big. They brought two incredibly talented and handsome boys into this earth who are their greatest pride and joy.

As life does, it threw a few curve balls at Danny and Jana. They divorced a few years ago; and eventually remarried loving new spouses who have brought even more joy, laughter, love, and beauty to our extended and blended family.

Jana touched thousands of people in her lifetime here. Her effervescent smile, radiant personality, and spitfire energy lit up any room she entered. Her children adored her and carry her spunky spirit in them.

In the blur of just 24-hours since her transition to Heaven, the expressions of love, sympathy, condolences and memories have flooded her social media page. It is obvious to all that Jana made her indelible mark on many. She lived fully. She loved as unconditionally as humanly possible. And she will never be forgotten.

We love you Jana. We miss you terribly.  Yet, we rejoice that you are Home, Healed, and more fully Alive than we can imagine.  We will cry many tears as we remember life with you, and now without you.  We will laugh at the charming memories you created for us all. We will deeply love one another more carefully because of the intense love you showed us all.

Jana, you were more like Jesus to us than you may have realized. You always showed kindness and generosity to others.  You took the mess that life sometimes creates, and recreated new life and new love from the mess.  You chose to overcome darkness with light.  You demonstrated heroic faith and courage in the face of the monster disease that we all have come to utterly detest.  You beat the monster. You are the champion.

We celebrate you, Jana.  And, we will see you again dear sister.

Thank you Jesus, for our beautiful sweet Jana.  We celebrate her and now entrust her to Your sovereign care … until we meet again at that Glad Reunion Day.

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Harry and Meghan: Millennials and The Power Of Love

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were married Saturday May 19, 2018.  It’s being dubbed the #RoyalWedding of the year, and it may very well set the pace for the next decade of the Millennial movement.

The couple’s incredible story of childhood hardships and struggles, coming from two totally different world narratives, raised by single parents in very different socio-economic circumstances, is in itself a fairytale romance.

The events leading up to the Royal Wedding Day captured billions of TV viewers globally and all the watching world became engrossed in the Disney-esque moments of their castle wedding celebration with thousands of adoring fans.  Nobles and commoners alike came together for the glorious moment of holy matrimony.

So, what captivated us about this particular union of two beautiful souls?  The fairytale romance, of course.  The dichotomy of their individual stories, I’m sure.  As a worship guy, I am intrigued with the Ceremony and worship service.  You knew I was going there, right?!  😉

As we all observed, the service was filled with beautiful Anglican tradition, royalty of every sort, and yet a modern sprinkling of pop and classical music, and oh-my-Lord that stirring sermon from Bishop Michael Curry!

As Harry and Meghan sat near the pulpit listening ever so intently to Bishop Curry’s sermon, my mind raced with several thoughts about how Harry and Meghan had fashioned their wedding ceremony.  They seemed to have planned out a worship moment that speaks to the heart of this Millennial generation.

Here are just a few worship service observations:

  1. The Setting.  Harry and Meghan chose St. George’s chapel at Windsor Castle.  Well, probably that venue was chosen “for” them by the Crown.  Still, it is telling to me that this Millennial couple chose the tradition of the chapel wedding to publicly express their vows, their union of love, and their desires for a life together.

2.  The Service.  Tradition meets contemporary.  The music, poetry, scripture readings, sermon, and vows were a perfect blend of the traditions of the church, but without all the stoic stuffiness of dead religion.  Loud cheers were heard from the crowds attending outside the chapel and in the courts of the castle grounds.  Whispers, giggles, and a few outbursts of laughter were freely expressed throughout the ceremony.  There was the holy.  And there was the common.  Both were welcome in this place.

3.  The Sermon.  As I mentioned earlier, Bishop Curry brought IT!  His charismatic, joy-filled, sincere message of Love and Power filled the chapel hall with a resounding spirit of urgency, yet gentleness and kindness towards all mankind.  Bishop Curry delivered the message of a life that Harry and Meghan have expressed the desire for:  a Life of Love and Compassion for others.

As I pondered these thoughts and images throughout the weekend, it occurred to me that Sunday, May 20, 2018 was Pentecost Sunday on the liturgical church calendar.  Most churches around the world celebrated the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  The fire. The love. The power. The refining. The mercy. The endurance.  The comfort.  The Presence of God Himself.

Interesting, how that all those attributes of God the Holy Spirit seemed to permeate the Royal Wedding of 2018.   May God bless Harry and Meghan.  May God bless the United Kingdom.  May God bless America. May the whole world know The Power of Love that Harry and Meghan seem so deeply destined to share with us all.

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New Seasons

 

Seasons change.  Customs change.  Inspired ideas create new tools and resources, which create new habits and practices.  As humans, we say all the time, “I don’t like change”, yet we adapt ever so quickly.

At Robby Myrick Music and RMM Productions, we are moving through another season of change.  God has graciously allowed us to lead music and worship ministries in churches across the Gulf Coast these past 30 years.  The memories are priceless. The treasures in Heaven are going to amaze us, I’m sure!  The hundreds and thousands of souls who have found peace, new life, salvation, and healing have been a joy to experience.

We have no intention of quitting that line of work, of course. The Bible is clear when it reminds us that “the callings of God” are without error.  So, we know that our calling is that of leading the Church in worship of the Father.  However, the work of musicians and artists within the context of both the Church and the local community has always been a complex relationship; yet — so, simply beautiful.  Depending on your theology, and personal perspective on worship.

The Spirit of God has been urging us for quite some time to slow down, listen more, and return to our first love for The Arts.

For me that means a return to the creative process of making music with various instruments which will surely involve returning to the recording studio.  I also possess a deep yearning to write songs.  Songs for the church, of course; but, also personal songs that reflect life, love, pain, joy, and all the emotions that go into our brief journey in these earth suits.

For Sheryl that looks like canvas painting, pencil and crayon sketches, as well as her endless creative spirit for interior design in our home.  She longs for me to get out in the yard with her and landscape.  She also wants a small garden.  So, we will be getting our hands dirty!

Together, we have both desired to write books.  I am learning more about the self-publishing process while she is trying to keep us both disciplined in our quiet times, solitude, journaling, and practice writing.  We have our work cut out for us for sure!

As we continue to build upon our business pursuits, ministry opportunities, and personal artistic ventures, it seems that God is teaching us a very consistent lesson:  Listen more.

That inherently would include:  Talk less.  Like … don’t talk.  Be still. Be quiet.  If you know me, that’s an extremely difficult proposition.  My wife says about me, “Robby has words.  Lots of ’em”.  Poking fun at me, of course. But, not really!

I find that when I listen more intentionally, I hear stuff that normally slips right past my senses.  The wind. The birds. The hum of engines and machines.  The chatter of others.  Conversations.  Music.  The sounds of creation.  It’s beautiful. And, it is reviving me personally.

This season, I’m listening more.  We are listening more.  We are journaling and writing.  We are asking for wisdom and guidance. So that when it’s time to speak or sing or create … maybe our words, songs, and creations will be more effective and filled with the things of God.

That is all.  For now.

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Anger and Power

Anger is a powerful emotion.  Much good can come of appropriately harnessed and focused anger.

I get angry within my spirit when I observe senseless acts of violence towards others.  I get angry when I hear and see wars between nations and people groups.  I get angry when a loved one or friend is treated with indignity, disrespect, or dishonor.   The list could go on.

I am learning that one of the reasons that anger rises up in me is because I might be feeling a sense of insecurity or fear.  Fear that I am losing control.  Fear that something I value is being forcibly taken.  Fear that my comforts and securities are being threatened.  All valid reasons to get angry.

Ultimately, if anger is not dealt with and harnessed properly it can result in a self-centered strategy which seeks to simply attain more power.  Power, or the sense of control in a situation or agenda, can be a good thing.  If the outcome is to create a more stable, healthy, and sensible condition for all people, anger can produce good.

As I observe the aftermath of the most recent mass shooting in Parkland Florida, I’m feeling anger.  As are many, in this moment.

The families and friends of the fallen are completely justified to feel the emotions of anger, resentment, bitterness, and rage … in this moment.   Anyone with half a heart can most assuredly feel what they are feeling … in this moment. I’m a musician.  Musicians are typically more emotionally driven people.  We tend to balance reason and logic with emotion, sensitivity, and hopefully empathy and compassion.  Some of us would be considered imbalanced on the side of emotion.  I get that.  But then, sometimes … that’s needed.

The students of Parkland Florida and surrounding communities are rising.  Their anger, rage, sadness, grief and pain must be harnessed, guided, and hopefully empowered with leadership that is rooted in goodness, compassion, and well-being for all.

I pray for the congregations, parishes, and ministers of local churches there.  I pray for the communities of people who feel lost, helpless, hopeless and empty in their current state of emotional anger. I pray that the anger they are feeling will be channeled into deeds of goodness, kindness, and yes — forgiveness towards one another.  Even towards their peer and former student who committed this atrocious act of violence towards them.

This sounds impossible for some.  And for some, it is.   However, with God all things are possible.  As the prayers rise, as the vigils and ceremonies are conducted, as the impassioned speeches are delivered — I pray that the people of Parkland Florida will feel the prayers of a nation, and even a world, who ultimately cares more about peace … and progress … than simply more power.

O God, let us humbly bow in Your Presence in the days ahead, to honor, and to love, and to cherish the memories of the fallen in Parkland.  Help us to speak life, and wisdom, and genuine compassion for the families and friends remaining.  We ask for wisdom in the days to come as we seek answers to the very difficult questions that are before us as a People, as a Nation, and as your Children.

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HEAR US FROM HEAVEN
(c)2004 Jared Anderson | Vertical Worship Songs
Lord, hear our cry
Come heal our land
Breathe life into these dry and thirsty souls
Lord hear our prayer
Forgive our sin
And as we call on Your Name
Would you make this a place
For Your glory to dwell
Open the blind eyes
Unlock the deaf ears
Come to Your people
As we draw near
Hear us from Heaven
Touch our generation
We are Your people
Crying out in desperation